CRISMINA FORT REFURBISHMENT FOR A MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY
The Crismina fort is one of the three XVIII century forts of the old defense line of the coast of Cascais, following the conflict between Portugal and Spain. This fortified structure is mainly an empty space, fenced by walls, partly deteriorated by wind erosion and other atmospheric phenomena. The walls have different heights and thickness defining an irregular polygon.
The intervention involves firstly the consolidation of the walls and a secondly the construction of the new building able to reshape a new spatial syntax. The new volume in glass and stone follows an irregular geometry and reaches the maximum height of the walls around it. Therefore, the existing volumetric scale are maintained, keeping its role of a viewpoint and a landmark, in dialogue with the strong and wild natural environment. The program is multipurpose and includes a single open space for private events. The outdoor space between the building and the existing walls consists of three uncovered courtyards, one facing the south, the second facing the east, both protected from the prevailing winds, and the third oriented to the west toward the Atlantic Ocean, and exposed to the main dominant winds.
The area has an unusual ecological and scenic importance, integrated in the cliff cut by rocky coves, sandy beaches and small pebble beaches. From the plant point of view, the area presents rare plant species with scientific value, involving some endemics, such as armeria pseudoarmeria or Armeria welwitschii among others.
In this context, the landscape intervention is focused on areas that are without any vegetation cover, old trails, crossing areas and perimeter borders, pointing to the recovery capacity of the system.
